Mike Tomlin says Steelers are preparing for Nick Bosa

Pittsburgh’s season-opener won’t be easy. The Steelers begin the 2023 regular season campaign against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, a team that reached the NFC Championship Game a season ago. And even though Nick Bosa is a holdout currently, head coach Mike Tomlin says his team is preparing for the star edge.

“Yes, we are preparing for Bosa,” Tomlin said, per Pro Football Talk. “We expect him to be there.”

Tomlin also referenced that the team endured a similar situation with T.J. Watt just a few years ago. But before the season opener that year, the star linebacker worked out a deal and Watt played in the game.

Bosa is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, posting a huge year in 2022. He accounted for 18.5 sacks and tallied 51 total stops. He was also responsible for a pair of forced fumbles.

Bosa has been one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the league since entering the NFL in 2019. The end is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and has piled up 156 tackles with 43 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

If Bosa does play, Sunday’s game will feature two of the NFL’s top defensive talents.

Ex-NFL LB calls T.J. Watt best defensive player in the league

Without question, Bosa has solidified himself as one of the top players in the NFL. But when it comes to the best defensive player in the league, ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker Bart Scott says that title belongs to Steelers star T.J. Watt.

With the first week of the regular season approaching, ESPN’s Get Up discussed the outlook for Pittsburgh this fall. The Steelers concluded last season with a 9-8 record, missing out on the playoffs.

“When T.J. Watt is healthy, he is the best defensive player in football. Period.” Scott said. “T.J. Watt should have two Defensive MVPs. Injury is the only thing that stopped him from having two.”

It’ll be an interesting defensive matchup if Bosa and the Niners agree to a deal and the three-time Pro Bowler is on the field. Watt was the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and has earned five Pro Bowl selections in his career.

Pittsburgh and San Francisco square off at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. ET. The game airs on FOX.